Hematological parameters and globulin profile of Bothrops asper and Crotalus simus snakes (Serpentes: Viperidae), after the main venom gland removal

Abstract

Snakebite accidents are a neglected tropical disease worldwide recognized, and in Costa Rica the snakes Bothrops asper and Crotalus simus causes more than the 60% of the snakebite accidents reported. To fight this neglected disease, institutions need to establish and keep a venomous snake collection in order to extract the venom and produce the antivenom. The welfare of the snakes in captivity must be guaranteed, specially to old animals with defective venom production, which is the case of the Clodomiro Picado Institute. A surgical removal of the main venom gland was performed in five animals of B . asper and C . simus with none or low venom production, and the hematological parameters and plasma proteins were analyzed pre-surgery and for 90 days post-surgery. As result of the surgical procedure, the animals did not show anemia post-surgery, a heterophilia was found in respond to the invasive method, a relative monocytosis and lymphopenia at day one to three was also found, meaning that the surgical removal of the main venom gland is a safe procedure and did not affect the snake’s health. Additionally, the electrophoretic determination of the albumin:globulin ratio, is a good test to assess the body health condition in the snakes studied. Finally, the relative monocytosis and lymphopenia seems to be directly linked to a continuously handling of the snakes during consecutive days. with monocytes playing a key role in a stress respond, therefore, these relative monocytosis and lymphopenia values should be considered in the interpretation of stress leukogram reports.